Marriage is beautiful, though it has its fair share of challenges. You can compare it to a rose with its thorns; it has great joys and rewards, but it also has tough seasons. There is a correlation between marriage and mental health - when your marriage flourishes, your mental health also improves. A strong and healthy partnership enables you to better care for your spouse and children, increase your productivity, and improve your self-esteem and self-care.
In this article, we will learn how a strong foundation in marriage starts in dating, the importance of understanding marriage, and practical ways you can intentionally build a strong partnership. In addition, we will analyze how a strong partnership impacts your mental health.
The Foundation: From Dating to Marriage
Every time you see your partner after a long day at work, do you still get butterflies in your stomach? What follows is you ask yourself how fortunate you are to be coming home to that person. There is a high likelihood that you set that tone and belief during your dating phase. The habits you set early on will influence whether you support each other mentally or cause stress and frustration.
The minute you make things official, things get a little serious, and a new set of challenges emerges. At this point, you need to be extra mindful of each other’s needs and habits. Even if your dating foundation wasn’t strong, you get a chance to rebuild it when starting the marriage. You will need to ensure you effectively communicate, handle frustrations in the best way, calmly solve problems, and appreciate each other's unique personalities. In addition, you would need to understand the changes needed and how to navigate impasse situations. These seem to be minute details, but they greatly impact your marriage and individual mental health.
Understanding Marriage and Expectations
When you were pronounced man and wife, you hoped that the union would last a lifetime. By understanding marriage expectations, you can make it last. Individual expectations in marriage vary. However, there are universal expectations that include love, respect, appreciation, care, and submission, among others. Despite the different seasons that come with life, for example, getting kids, career development, and financial constraints, you need to do your best to keep the flame going.
Openly communicating about your expectations is key to a healthy mind and relationship. When you and your partner openly share your needs and expectations, it reduces the chances of having stress and mental breakdowns.
5 Intentional Ways to Build a Strong Partnership
1. Open Communication
Communication will not be effective unless you do it the right way. Be intentional when having a conversation with your spouse. In addition, be honest. If you love something, say it—if you don’t like it, say it, too. Over time, you will teach your spouse your boundaries and expectations so they can watch out not to cause cracks in your love.
2. Practicing Flexibility
Marriage is a union of two people who have met when they are grownups. Therefore, you do not expect you and your spouse to always be on the same page. Be flexible and willing to compromise, as long as it will not be at the cost of your values. As a result, you will adapt and grow together, compared to having constant fights about who is wrong or right.
3. Supporting Each Other
Always be your partner’s biggest supporter, whether in their parenting, career, or learning a new skill. Also, know how to correct them with love in the things that they do. Having such support brings you two closer and boosts mental health, as both of you feel secure knowing you have someone who has your back.
4. Practicing Humility and Forgiveness
Pride is a silent marriage killer. It makes you harden your heart so that you can’t listen, apologize, or forgive, which ends up creating unnecessary tension in your home. Learning to be humble and practicing forgiveness costs nothing. It will make your marriage happier while your mental health thrives. The only thing that might get hurt in the process is your ego, which will be worth it since you will have a peaceful home!
5. Dating Through Marriage
Life’s pressures can make you forget your spouse. The solution is intentionally choosing to date each other, even after marriage. Occasionally go out for dates and walks, cook together, or even watch a movie after the kids go to bed. Such activities help you remain friends, which makes it easy to deal with challenging situations, and you grow fonder of each other. You might be surprised how fulfilling and healing dating can be.
The Impact of a Strong Partnership on Mental Health
A strong marriage can significantly benefit your mental health, for it reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. When you build your union on trust and open communication, you are less likely to overthink every action or misjudge your partner for every action they take. You will have so much peace and happiness, which is good for your mental health. Even when difficult seasons come, you will survive because of the foundation you have built.
The Institute of Family Studies (IFS) did a study on the impact of marriage and mental health and they found that “being married was associated with better mental health among both sexes.” Additionally, social scientists have consistently found that married people enjoy better mental health compared to people who have never been married.
Conclusion
Marriage, with its joys and challenges, plays an important role in your mental health. However, when you intentionally build your union to be strong, you will enjoy emotional stability and personal fulfillment. It takes time to build, but taking the first step to openly communicating, being flexible, supporting your spouse, practicing humility and forgiveness, and dating through marriage will get you a step closer. In the end, your marriage will thrive, and as a result, so will your mental health.
Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician or other medical professional. Please speak with your doctor or therapist if you have any questions or concerns.
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